Mark Ruffalo asked for the understanding of the LGBT community, adding he was happy the conversation had been started.
(CHARLES SYKES/CHARLES SYKES/INVISION/AP)
Mark Ruffalo took to Twitter to respond to outrage surrounding Matt Bomer’s casting as a transgender sex worker in his upcoming film, “Anything.”

Bomer’s casting in the film, which Ruffalo is executive producing, drew ire from the transgender community, most of them stating the hiring of a cisgender actor for a transgender role perpetuates the idea that trans men are only pretending to be women.

“To the trans community,” Ruffalo tweeted Wednesday evening. “I hear you. It’s wrenching to see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. It’s time.”

The 48-year-old actor/producer continued on to explain he suggested the “American Horror Story” star “after the profound experience I had with him while making ‘The Normal Heart.’”

In response to one person suggesting the role be recast, Ruffalo revealed doing so was no longer an option.

“The movie is already shot and Matt poured his heart and soul into this part,” he explained. “Please have a little compassion. We are all learning.”

Matt Bomer will star as a transgender sex worker in the upcoming film, "Anything."
(DAN STEINBERG/DAN STEINBERG/INVISION/AP)
LGBT advocates have long argued against what many refer to as “ciswashing,” noting it can encourage inaccurate stereotypes.

“I really hope you choose to do some actual good for the trans community one day,” transgender "Sense8" actress Jamie Clayton tweeted at Bomer.

Other big names in the transgender community — including Laverne Cox, Jen Richards and Mya Taylor — have in the past also spoken out against this type of casting.

But the hiring of a cisgender actor for a transgender role is fairly prevalent in Hollywood — most recently, Eddie Redmayne got an Oscar nod for his work in “The Danish Girl” and Jared Leto was widely praised for his turn as a transgender character in “Dallas Buyers Club.”